SHERMAN, Texas - Southwestern volleyball continued to impress as they opened SCAC conference play this weekend, going 3-0 over Austin College, University of Dallas and Trinity. The win improved the #9 Pirates to 12-2 on the year.

SU opened the weekend with host-institution Austin College on Friday night, starting out strong to win 25-21, 25-16 through the first two sets. The 'Roos put a rally together to take the second set 25-22, but Southwestern was too much for AC as the Pirates easily won the fourth 25-14.

Rachel Thibodeau led with 17 kills in the game while Allison Stubbs (pictured) and Lindsay Thompson added in 10 and 11, respectively. Thibodeau aided immensely on the defensive side as well, tying Sarai Tenerelli for a team high 21 digs. Thompson added in a team high seven blocks and Christina Nicholls recorded 41 assists.

Day two pitted the Pirates first against new SCAC conference opponent, the University of Dallas. The Crusaders proved to be no match for the experienced Southwestern team as they won in three, 25-13, 25-18, 25-19.

SU used their depth to their advantage as five Pirates recorded six or more kills in the match and the team boasted a .368 hitting percentage. Nicholls had 38 assists and Thibodeau led with 10 digs.

The final match of the day faced the Pirates against SCAC conference-rival Trinity. The highly anticipated match did not disappoint as the game went to five sets. Southwestern won the first 25-21 and TU took the second set by the same score, then went up 2-1 after a 25-17 set three win. The Pirates came back strong as they easily won the fourth set 25-13 and maintained the momentum in the fifth and final set to win 15-8.

Stubbs and Jill Wigington were outstanding, both recording 14 kills with Wigington posting a sensational .500 hitting percentage with just two errors in 24 attempts. Nicholls recorded 48 assists and Stubbs added a team high 26 digs.

Southwestern returns to non-conference action this weekend as they host Schreiner University on Tuesday evening before heading back out on the road to Memphis for the SCAC West/Central Divisional #1 and face #14 Colorado College, Millsaps, Rhodes and Hendrix.